Open Letter to all Startup Founders

Dear Sirs and Madams,

First of all, I want to congratulate you on stepping out of your comfort zone and starting your own business. During the initial stages of your business, you were a solopreneur, handling tasks such as packing, loading and unloading materials, creating invoices, managing customer care, purchasing materials, and recruiting a team aligned with your vision.

It is truly a tough life, and no one can deny it, but...

Once you have successfully established your venture, received market validation, and reached a sustainable position where you have a team of around 20+ passionate employees working to build your brand, please refrain from behaving like a solopreneur.

While it was commendable that you initially took care of all the small tasks, including cleaning the office, please do not expect the same from your new team members. It feels as if Dhirubhai started working at the petrol pump and now Mukesh Bhai is telling his employees to do the same because the founder did it in the past.

Often, you expect extraordinary output with minimal or no resources. Please be realistic with your team.

All founders have one thing in common when describing their brand: "We are here to change the lives of millions with our products and solutions." However, I kindly request you to begin the change with your employees who are dedicating their time, efforts, skills, and expertise with blood and sweat.

At the very least, provide them with basic facilities like fresh drinking water and tea or coffee (if you can afford it), as well as a good working space (well-ventilated, even if you cannot afford AC) where they can spend most of their day.

I understand that most startup founders have a good budget for branding their products and building their brands online through performance marketing. It is my humble request that you allocate some of this budget to your employees' welfare as well. If you take care of your employees, they will undoubtedly take care of your customers.

I know you have answers for all these concerns, such as "We are providing a salary and expecting a certain level of performance in return" You are right. However, not everyone is working solely for the salary. They are also working for a good work-life balance, recognition of their work, and appreciation from management when they go the extra mile.

Why not appreciate your team's small wins? Give recognition if anyone goes beyond their assigned responsibilities. It will not only boost the morale of that person but also create a positive ambiance throughout the organization, motivating others as well.

Alongside building your brand for customers, kindly build a work culture for your organization. It will undoubtedly benefit you in the long run.

Always invest in your employees' learning. Help improve their learning curve and encourage them to upgrade their skills (interpersonal, management, technical), as it will also increase company productivity.

Make your employees an integral part of your growth. Do not just consider them as human resources but nurture them as if they are your family members. I am sure you will receive returns in abundance.

Most employees may not openly share these concerns with you. They often leave without expressing their grievances, so it is important to take action before you lose them. The feeling of regret is truly the worst.

As founders, you have the courage to take a stand and the guts to follow your intuition, which is why you are here. So, start considering the needs of your employees and do not view them as liabilities but as strengths.

Regards,

Your dedicated and honest employee